International (MNN) — Radicalized terrorists in developing nations are some of the hardest people to reach for Christ. It’s a dangerous ministry when terror groups have vast, embedded networks. They can intimidate or even kill believers — especially new converts — before they ever get to the Good News of Jesus.
But in prisons, the dynamic changes. An incarcerated extremist becomes, quite literally, a captive audience for the Gospel.
Greg Von Tobel, President of Prisoners for Christ (PFC), says, “When we talk about third-world prisons, there are a lot of terrorist groups that have found themselves in prison.
“What better opportunity to share the love of Christ with some of the hardest of hearts that are bent on evil and having them come to know Lord, getting released, going back to their communities and sharing the love of Christ?”
Photo courtesy of Colin Carey via Unsplash
PFC helps believers behind bars start churches in prisons across the developing world. For terrorists, these church gatherings are often the first place they hear about Jesus.
Don Szolomayer, PFC’s Director of International Affairs, explains that many inmates enter prison churches simply out of curiosity. “And it says, ‘This is a safe place. This is a place you can come, you can ask questions, you can learn, you can grow.’”
Still, sharing the Gospel is only the beginning. Von Tobel stresses the importance of building up new believers in the faith during their incarceration.
“We have to have the discipleship piece – feeding and growing inmates that are babes in the Word of God, and watching them and growing them into great warriors for the cause of Christ.”
Pray for extremists in prison to turn to Christ, and become warriors for God’s mercy and truth!
Pray also for believers who lead these prison churches — that God would equip them with wisdom, courage, and perseverance as they disciple new Christians behind bars.
Header photo image generated by AI.
